AR Sculpture Storytelling
WebXR storytelling platform bringing digital narratives to the 'Oraklet' bronze sculpture at Domkyrkan in Göteborg. 3D-scanned sculpture serves as AR anchor for layered stories by poet Diana and ambient soundscapes by Alicia Lázaro. Uses Three.js with 8th Wall for markerless AR tracking accessible on any smartphone.
⚡ Challenges
- •Outdoor AR tracking stability
- •Large mesh optimization for mobile
- •Narrative pacing in spatial context
✓ Outcomes
- ✓Featured in Göteborg Stad cultural initiative
- ✓500+ AR sessions
- ✓Template for future public art AR
📖 Full Details
This augmented reality experience transforms how visitors engage with public art, using the 'Oraklet' (The Oracle) bronze sculpture by Tilda Lovell at Domkyrkan in Göteborg as a canvas for digital storytelling. Through WebXR technology accessible on any smartphone, visitors can overlay rich narrative content directly onto the physical sculpture.
The project began with comprehensive 3D scanning using photogrammetry—hundreds of photographs captured the sculpture from every angle, processed into a detailed mesh that accurately represents the original artwork's texture and form. This digital twin serves as an anchor for AR content that appears to emerge from and interact with the physical bronze.
Poet Diana contributed layered stories that explore the Oracle's mythological significance and contemporary relevance, while musician Alicia Lázaro composed an ambient soundscape that responds to the user's distance from the sculpture. As visitors approach, the music intensifies and new visual elements reveal themselves.
The WebXR implementation uses Three.js with 8th Wall integration for markerless AR tracking. Content is delivered progressively—low-resolution previews load instantly while high-fidelity assets stream in the background, ensuring a smooth experience even on older devices.
A Python backend manages the 3D model pipeline, handling mesh optimization, texture compression, and CDN distribution. Analytics track visitor engagement patterns, informing future public art installations.
